Psalms 59:3-4

59:3 For look, they wait to ambush me; ¹ 

powerful men stalk ²  me,

but not because I have rebelled or sinned, O Lord. ³ 

59:4 Though I have done nothing wrong, ⁴  they are anxious to attack. ⁵ 

Spring into action and help me! Take notice of me! ⁶ 

[59:3]  ¹ tn Heb “my life.”

[59:3]  ² tn The Hebrew verb is from the root גּוּר (gur), which means “to challenge, attack” in Isa 54:15 and “to stalk” (with hostile intent) in Ps 56:8.

[59:3]  ³ sn The point is that the psalmist’s enemies have no justifiable reason for attacking him. He has neither rebelled or sinned against the Lord.

[59:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “without sin.”

[59:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “they run and they are determined.”

[59:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “arise to meet me and see.” The Hebrew verb קָרָא (qara’, “to meet; to encounter”) here carries the nuance of “to help.”